1. Case Study CSE 891: Forensic Odontology
Hong Chen
Carrie Jackson

2. Outlines History and status of forensic odontology Dental Anatomy
Main applications
Comparison to other forensic biometrics
Famous Cases
Computer aided forensic odontology

3. Definition
Forensic odontology is the application of dental principles to legal issues
Applications:
- Individual Identification
- Mass Disaster Identification
- Bite mark analysis
- Dental Malpractice

4. History 66 A.D.: Lollia Paulina’s body identified
Casualty ID in Revolutionary War
1849
Vienna Opera House fire
Dental identification evidence first admitted in U.S. court system

5. Training No specific training required to practice
Most are practicing dentists
Undergraduate education
Dental school
Possible specialized training
Admittance into professional groups
May have further requirements for admittance

6. Dentition ~ 32 teeth 4 tooth types Orientation/Size Root Structure
Incisors
Canines
Premolars
Molars
Orientation/Size
Root Structure

7. Tooth Composition
Molar
Incisor

8. Dental Restorations
Crowns
Fillings
Root canal
Bridge
Extractions

9. Individuality of Teeth
Many combinations of restorations
Size/Orientation can vary greatly
Variable numbers of teeth
Variable root structure

10. Main Applications Individual Identification
Mass Disaster Identification
Bite mark Analysis

11. Identification Postmortem description is generated
Radiographs taken
Possible identities known?
Yes: Comparison to antemortem data
Match strength determined
No: Biological profile generated

12. The Universal System Each tooth has a specific number
Each surface of the teeth are classified
Notes extractions, fillings, orientation, etc.
Primary dentition noted with upper case letters

13. Identification Postmortem description is generated
Radiographs taken
Possible identities known?
Yes: Comparison to antemortem data
Match strength determined
No: Biological profile generated

14. Age Determination

15. Age Determination Chart

16. Mass Disaster Identification
Completed in the same manner as individual identification
Organization of antemortem and postmortem data is essential
Large scale problems can occur

17. Mass Disaster Dental ID Teams
Postmortem Team
Generates dental profile and radiographs
Antemortem Team
Collects/organizes antemortem data
Records Comparison Team
Compares postmortem and antemortem data

18. Bite mark analysis Can be used to link a suspect to a crime
Impressions left on food, skin or other items left at a scene

19. Impression Variation Each dentition can produce variable impressions
Change based on pressure and surface of contact
Impressions from the same dentition

20. Analysis Bite marks are photographed with a scale
Bite marks on skin are taken over repeated intervals
Casts of impression are taken
Impression traced onto transparencies
Casts of suspects teeth are taken
Comparison between suspect cast and bite mark

21. Comparison to Other Forensic Biometrics
Dental
DNA
Fingerprint
Robustness to Decomposition
High
Mid.
Low
Accuracy
Time
Short
Long
Enroll Rate
Instrument required

22. Famous Cases
Bite mark analysis
Identification

23. Dental Programs State Dental Program
National Dental Program
In 1997, The Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) of the FBI created a dental task force (DTF).
State Dental Program
Three states: Maryland, Washington, and California
Best Collectors of Dental Records (>10%)

24. Cases – Ted Bundy The most famous bite mark case
The bite mark was on the body of a victim
Transparent overlays superimposed
Wax bite exemplar

25. Cases – 9/11
At ground zero, among 973 victims identified in the first year (with only one method), about 20% of victims were identified using dental records.

26. Cases – Asian Tsunami
“Around mid-March, (of some 800+ identified bodies) 90% were identified by dental records …
If you post pictures of your loved ones on the bulleting boards/web boards, choose picture with a broad smile so that front teeth can be seen. A better approach is to post dental X-ray films and leave /phone number of the dentist.”
----- Tsunami Relief website
A forensic expert examines a film of the teeth of a tsunami victim in Phuket of Thailand, on Jan. 11, 2005.

27. Computer Aided Forensic Odontology
3D Bite mark analysis
Automatic dental code matching
OdontoSearch
Automatic dental identification system

28. Bite mark Analysis Using 3D Scans -- DentalPrint
3D scans of dental casts are used to generate overlays using various pressure and deviation.

29. Bitemark Analysis Using 3D Scans -- DentalPrint
The overlays are compared with the photograph of the bite marks.

30. Matching Using Dental Codes - CAPMI / WinID

31. OdontoSearch Different people may have the same dental codes
In the past, the strength of a match between a PM dental code and an AM dental code is based on the clinical experience of the dentist
OdontoSearch provides an objective means of assessing the frequency of occurrence for a dental code

32. OdontoSearch

33. Automatic Dental Identification System
Genuine
Matching Distance = 4.22
Query Image
Matching Distance = 27.57
Imposter
Genuine image has a smaller matching distance than the imposter image. Images with smaller distance are included in the candidate list.

34. System Architecture Feature Extraction Atlas Registration Matching
Retrieval

35. Summary History and status of forensic odontology Dental Anatomy
Main applications
Comparison to other forensic biometrics
Famous Cases
Computer aided forensic odontology

36. References
1.    Adams, B. The diversity of adult dental patterns in the United States and the implications for personal identification. J Forensic Sci 2003; 48(3).
2.  Adams, B. Establishing personal identification based on specific patterns of missing, filled and unrestored teeth. J Forensic Sci 2003; 48(3).
3.  Anguita, C. DentalPrint 2.0. Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Odontology: software engineering department. (2003). 27 Feb 2005 <
4.  Bowers, C. Arguments on the individuality of human teeth. 22 Feb 2005 <
5.  Bowers, C., Johansen, R. Digital imaging methods as an aid in dental identification of human remains. J Forensic Sci 2002; 47(2):
6.  Brannon, R., Connick, C. The role of the dental hygienist in mass disasters. J Forensic Sci 2000; 45(2):
7.  Brannon, R., Kessler, H. Problems in mass-disaster determination: a retrospective review. J Forensic Sci 1999; 44(1):
8.   “Central Identification Laboratory at JPAC: the world’s largest forensic laboratory.” Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. 26 Feb 2005 <
9.   Fahmy, G. et. al, “Automated Dental Identification System (ADIS).” 30 Jan 2005 <

37. References
10.  “Forensic Odontology.” Dental Students: The dental students network. (2000). 30 Jan 2005 <
11.  “Forensic Odontology.” (2004). 27 Feb
12.  “Forensic Odontology.” The thin blue line: information section. 27 Feb 2005 <
13.  James, S., Nordby, J., Eds. Forensic science: an introduction to scientific and investigative techniques. CRC Press, New York, 2003.
14.  Kouble, R., Craig, G. A comparison between direct and indirect methods available for human bite mark analysis. J Forensic Sci 2004; 49(1).
15.  Lee, S., Choi, J., Yoon, C., Kim, C., Shin, K., The diversity of dental patterns in orthopantomography and its significance in human identification. J Forensic Science 2004; 49(4).
16.  Lewis, C. Leventhal, L. Locator system versus WinID3 versus CAPM14: identifying vicims from dental remains in a large disaster. J of Forensic Identification 2004; 52(4):
17.  Martin-de las Heras, S., Valenzuela, A., Ogayar, C., Valverde, A., Torres, J., Computer-based production of comparison overlays from 3D-scanned dental casts for bite mark analysis. J Forensic Sci 2005; 50(1).